For many years, discussions about equity in mathematics have focused on closing attainment gaps, increasing participation and ensuring access to a high-quality curriculum. But another equity issue has been hiding in plain sight: factual fluency. Debates about fluency can become polarised, with some advocating automatic recall of key facts and others championing reasoning and conceptual understanding. Become a member for unlimited access to Schools Week Our members enjoy early access to exclusive content and in-depth articles before anyone else. Get expert journalism, experience fewer ads, and unlock a growing range of member benefits. subscribe If you have an account, please login. Sign in